Selling your property is rarely easy, but selling it fast can seem impossible. In an article in USA Today, it was stated that the housing market hit a 13-year low in 2010. With so many homes for sale, a slowing economy, and fewer buyers, how can your home compete? Here are a few tips to make your house look its best so you can sell your house fast:
Tip #1 - Improve Your Curb Appeal
A buyer will develop a first impression of your house when they pull into your driveway. You want it to be a good one. Keep your grass watered and mowed. Mulch your flower beds, plant some flowers, put a flower pot or two on the front porch and place a wreath on the door. A well-kept yard and porch not only feels warm and welcoming, it gives the impression that the inside of your home has been taken care of as well.
Tip #2 - Clear the Clutter
The rooms in your home should look as big and open as possible. Rent a storage unit and fill it with boxes of off-season clothes, unnecessary furniture, holiday decorations and anything else that you don't use regularly. Potential buyers may open cupboards and closets to see how much storage space there is. Make them as empty as you can.
Take family pictures off the walls and end tables, box them up and put them in storage. You want the buyer to be able to visualize themselves living in your home, and your family photos will prevent them from doing that. Remove pictures, calendars and magnets from your refrigerator. Take toaster ovens, canisters, spice racks and knife blocks off your kitchen counters. This will help to make your kitchen look spacious and organized.
Tip #3 - Pick Up After Your Kids and Pets
If you have children, be sure that toys are picked up and organized neatly. Box up and store toys they don't play with on a regular basis and will not miss. Keep their beds made and rooms tidy. If you have pets, consider taking them with you while the house is being shown. Some people don't like animals or are allergic to pet hair and this can immediately deter them from your house. Always keep your floors free from pet hair and your pet's food and water bowls clean or out of site.
Tip #4 - Never Turn Down a Showing
No matter how inconvenient a request may be or how little notice you might be given, never turn away a showing. This may be your buyer. If you don't have time to make the house as presentable as you'd like but are willing to accommodate a spur of the moment request, a buyer may be able to overlook untidiness.
Tip #5 - Accent Your Home's Assets and Minimize its Liabilities
Provide a brochure with pictures, room sizes and special features your house offers that your buyer can take with them. If your house has some challenges, such as a water tower or railroad tracks near the back yard, keep your blinds in the back of the house closed. Make them fall in love with the assets of your house first, and once they do, they may be able to forgive the liabilities when they open the blinds.
Although it may not be the best economy to sell your house fast, with a little preparation and motivation, you can present a home a buyer will want to live in.
Sources:
Laurie Zinn - Laurie Zinn is a freelance writer and Topic Editor for the seniors/grandparents section at Suite 101. After earning her ...
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